10 Things I Love About Oakland (4::10)
The Coffee

My all time favorite place for coffee in Oakland is currently (and for the past few months) the Peet's Coffee on Fruitvale Ave. in the Dimond District. I love it there because it's in my context of life. I know the story of the space and neighborhood. What was there before. What it was like during construction. What it's like now on the other side. It's one of - if not the - nexus hub for the Dimond District, where an amazing ecclectic mix of people mingle to various extents each day from street people to 3 piece suits, from stay-at-home parents with kids to parents of multiple dogs sitting on the outside benches, from the crazies of urban neighborhood to those volunteer militants working to transform Oakland. I love the table near the window that looks across Fruitvale Ave towards the parking lot of Farmer Joe's. From there you see this mix spill out onto the sidewalk and the Dimond District. The coffee is good. The staff is kind. The atmosphere is Oakland. Plus it's within walking district of the Dimond Library (one of the best-kept secrets of Oakland).

Other more than worthy mentions:

1. World Grounds in the Laurel. Great coffee, a nice menu and even serving beer. Plus they have free wireless and art installations. One of the nexus meeting places for the Laurel Neighborhood with community meetings and open-mike nights! (Yelp review)

2. Caffe Diem in the Dimond. Small. Good art. Still my most preferred double-no-foam latte!

3. Peet's Coffee in Montclair Village. Great place to see and be seen.

4. The Coffee Shop at Lincoln Square (near Safeway on Redwood Road above Why 13). Great views. Sit by the windows in the afternoon to catch the sun. They're working on improving their menu.

5. Coffee with a Beat (458 Prekins) Great place for coffee and music.

6. Cafe DiBartolo ( 3310 Grand Ave (between Elwood Ave & Lake Park Ave)) Nice menu.

Not quite in Oakland but still great.

6. Peet's Coffee next to the Claremont. Great courtyard on a nice day - plus right next to Rick and Anne's.

7. Espresso Roma on College and Ashby. Great place to people watch, read or just disconnect. Good coffee. Great menu. Plus they have beer and hard cider on tap.

Check out other options on Chowbaby.com

Any that you like that I should try?